A new river cruise company will be joining established players along Europe’s waterways with Celebrity Cruises announcing plans to build 10 river ships.
Celebrity River Cruises will launch in Europe in 2027 with bookings opening later this year. Details on the ship design has not been unveiled other than a hint at ocean-going Edge Series touches and “panoramic 360-degree views.”
"Celebrity River Cruises will bring the quality and sophistication of our Edge Series ocean ships to the most iconic rivers, starting with Europe," added Laura Hodges Bethge, President of Celebrity Cruises.
Combining both ocean and river under “The Celebrity Way”, the line will offer loyalty programs across Celebrity and Royal Caribbean Group brands.
"We're thrilled to announce our entry into the river cruise market through our Celebrity Cruises premium travel brand. Our guests and travel partners should expect us to do what we do best – innovate and elevate the river cruise experience as we meet the growing demand for intimate, culturally enriching travel experiences," said Jason Liberty, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group.
"We are never satisfied with the status quo, and we are obsessed with delivering the best vacation experiences in the world and driving exceptional shareholder returns. Today's launch of Celebrity River Cruises is an example of our commitment to deliver on that promise and ultimately capture a greater share of the $2 trillion global vacation market."
